3D Anatomy Software aggregates Learning Resources

Complexity and diversity of knowledge related to human anatomy and physiology has always forced teachers and students to work with a variety of media and learning aids. Books, plastics models, multimedia presentations, legends attached to anatomical posters, drawings and cadavers help to train professionals for numerous healthcare related professions.

A wide variety of visualization media and learning resources is available and many of them are free of charge. They help students to learn anatomical and physiological details, interaction and pathology of numerous structures in the human body, which total up to thousands of individual parts. The huge number of available learning resources can require spending more time for searching, selecting and managing learning resources.

Next Dimension Imaging, a leading provider of 3D Anatomy learning software, has published a product which integrates interactive 3D viewing of a high-end full body model with modern information technology and information management. The new product AnatomyLab II is a major upgrade of earlier versions. While older versions had emphasized on interactive 3D exploration, the new AnatomyLab II has evolved into a system for visualization, information and learning resource management for human anatomy.

AnatomyLab II represents a new kind of human anatomy atlas. It uses 3D technology combined with user content integration and management of individual learning resources. Labels, notes and hyperlinks can be attached to anatomical structures or to imported images which will then become a searchable resource. Similar views and images for a given anatomical structure can be quickly located and previewed. The systems formats the data in a way that it can be easily shared among peers, and quickly distributed in a computer lab or over a local or global network.

User created real time 3D-views into the human body and other resources can be quickly recalled. A presentation can be well prepared and is a lively option to a slide show. The unique feature to display and explore two or more 3D-views simultaneously is helpful when explaining the complex anatomical and physiological relationship between different structures. For students who work with AnatomyLab II, it becomes a knowledge base for their specific anatomical learning content.

Next Dimension Imaging has pioneered 3D anatomy model visualization and data integration for anatomy learning products and invests in research in particular. Founder Lothar Muench had a leading role in the software development of three volumetric imaging technologies when they were emerging. Core of the vendor’s products is a 3D viewing engine which provides the infrastructure for multiple 3D windows, view management, auto-colorization and spatial annotation. Products cover skeletal and muscular system, circulation system, nervous system, ligaments and inner organs. They are used by university teachers, high school teachers and students. For further information, contact Lothar Muench at info(at)nextd(dot)com.